Dirtbag Taxidermist

[69ChrisCraft01]

Resolution. I have spoken with Aaron at Western Wildlife and he is issuing a full refund. While my previous statement was factual and chronologically correct I do believe that the circumstances (once came to light) dictate my deleting of the thread.

Ultimately, issues with the tannery were the cause of the lost/ruined rug. While I'm bummed about the hide its just a memento of the hunt and not worth slandering a business over.

Also, the statement of the poaching allegations were NOT against Aaron. That was a third party entirely, perhaps I did not make that clear. That is a issue much more serious and I wanted to be clear about that.

Thank you guys for the support. My apologies if I was hasty with my post.

 

[realunlucky]

Contact the chamber of Commerce and also call the department of wildlife and get thier opinion

 

[Shrek]

Very sad and all too common . I lost one of only two fish I ever tried to have mounted but the guy did have an excuse I could live with. His wife was dieing of cancer and he was staying with her all the time at the hospital and his power was shut off while he was there. Lost a lot of people's trophies when his freezers dethawed. He mounted another fish for free later .
I hope you get your money back and some satisfaction.

 

[AZ Vince]

Very sad and all too common . I lost one of only two fish I ever tried to have mounted but the guy did have an excuse I could live with. His wife was dieing of cancer and he was staying with her all the time at the hospital and his power was shut off while he was there. Lost a lot of people's trophies when his freezers dethawed. He mounted another fish for free later .
I hope you get your money back and some satisfaction.

While it's sad you last your fish it's sadder his wife was dying.

Such a loss can be forgiven and as you noted he did try to make it right. If prefer to be kept in the loop even if it's bad news. "I messed up your hide; I lost your trophy;" or any of the other myriad of excuses are better than ducking and dodging to avoid a situation as many are inclined to do.

Shops with good reputations charge more but there is a reason for that. Not only the quality of the work but a guarantee, on their name, that you will get what you paid for.

 

[Roy68]

If the deposit was placed with a CC, then dispute the charge and get your cash back. That would be my first move since there is a deposit involved. If it was a cash deal, then your lawyer, but the legal fee(s) could cost you more than a possible recovery.

 

[KClark]

Sad to hear, hope it works out OK. Seems not all taxidermists and gunsmiths are reliable, I've been burnt several times by both.

 

[69ChrisCraft01]

Some good advice here. The deposit was with a debit card and I still have the statement on my online account (checked the other day). Is there a time span to dispute charges?

I'm more than understanding if the guy had a legitimate personal issue but to dodge my calls.....

I'll call the CDFW too, I also have an acquaintance who text me photos of him poaching.....guy obviously doesn't know me very well. (Knock out two birds with one call hopefully).

 

[jm1607]

Some good advice here. The deposit was with a debit card and I still have the statement on my online account (checked the other day). Is there a time span to dispute charges?

I'm more than understanding if the guy had a legitimate personal issue but to dodge my calls.....

I'll call the CDFW too, I also have an acquaintance who text me photos of him poaching.....guy obviously doesn't know me very well. (Knock out two birds with one call hopefully).

Unfortunately most disputing has to be done within 60 days, and credit cards are more powerful than debit cards..

Could probably take him to small claims court?

Maybe someone should go knock on his door?

 

[Roy68]

On the dispute it depends on who the bank is; I think. I use a local small town bank and their dispute process is pretty specific on debit cards tied to checking accounts. For that reason I use my CC most of the time.

I used to be with Bank of America (5+ years ago), and their Debit Card dispute system carried the same weight as my CC then; but they own(ed) that credit card company then.

Regardless I would check into your options with the bank.

 

[Trial153]

A knock on his door might get a resolution ...

 

[gwl79902]

IN Oregon it would be a civil matter and no law would be broken. I do not agree with it but that is what our district attoney has said. I think it is theft. One part of our theft statue say deprive some one of their property. The argument is that there is no law that says how long a mount will take so if they say they got it and working on it there is no end.

I would talk to your local game warden and sometimes they can step in and help to broker a deal. Or go to the local PD and try to get them to investigat the theft. But if he says his freezer went down and the bear rotted then it again goes back to a civil issue. Most states have a civil restitution schedual that set value of animals. I think a bear in oregon is 1000 dollars. But talk to the local game warden about that maybe they can line you out. Sorry it sucks

 

[Laelkhunter]

What about contacting the local Sheriff, and explain your situation. Ask them to check the place out next time they are in the area to see if the business is still open or if there are "signs of life". Could be the dude left town in the middle of the night.
Kinda reminds me of a popular "Taxidermist/meat processor" in Chama, NM that left town in the middle of the night and moved away. No one could contact him, or even find out where he relocated to. Imagine the hunters that stopped in the following hunting season looking for their Elk mounts only to find the business owner left town with your mounts, antlers, and $$$$.
The new owner that took the place over sure caught a lot of heck when people walked in, and he tried to convince them he was not associated with the previous owner, and did not have their mounts, antlers, etc.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Document everything you do. Real documentation so you can prove your bear is there, how and when he received it, an agreement/contract for how much what service would cost, how long said services are supposed to take, etc etc.
Once you have your ducks in a row begin the judicial process.

 

[gauge]

I had a similar situation with a belt buckle being made for my wife. The guy told me multiple times it was almost finished, then stopped answering any calls. All I wanted was my deposit back after a year of waiting. After contacting the local sheriff and chamber of commerce in his town, I was able to put enough pressure on him that he finished the buckle. The sheriff told me that my options were limited, but putting some outside pressure from authorities can usually at least get the ball back in your court.

 

[SDC]

Chamber of Commerce, F&G, and have a lien placed against him in the local court for the amount of the full rug, plus any fees you paid for tags, etc. You can, and should, try the Sheriff's office as well, but don't hold out hope there.

The truth of this is that he probably sold your rug to someone else or it ruined for lack of attention over such a long period and he's trying to figure out how to either make you go away or get you someone else's bear as a rug.

Small claims court, and document everything you can prior to filing. In some jurisdictions, all the costs associated (tags, travel, etc.) can be sought. In the end, the best you're likely to end up with is some, most, or all of your money back. The bear rug is likely ruined or long gone.

 

[Cub10]

Man that really sucks to hear. Hopefully you get your bear back!

 

[Dhois]

Sorry to hear another bad taxidermist story. As AZ Vine said, better taxidermists may charge more but can be worth it in the end. In Roseville, CA I have used Dick's Taxidermy and have spent time in the shop talking to Kirk who runs it now. Excellent character, knowledgable craftsman, and completely honest. Maybe the highest price in the area.

I agree with posts above: talk to a sheriff about options, and try to visit the shop in person.

 

[boom]

The taxi world has to be pretty small. Maybe call that other Roseville guy and ask if he heard anything?

I would call DFG.


Good luck.